Making Decisions With Jumbled Judgment

[DISCLAIMER]

The most advanced firearms training I’ve ever had occurred when I was subcontracted to the Department of Energy while working in the field of nuclear security. Regrettably, photos of that training environment weren’t allowed. Thus, I have no evidence to offer in the form of a photo.

Similarly, the second best firearms training I received was when I was under contract with the Department of Defense while affiliated with the Department of State in the field of diplomatic security. Fortunately, the above photo serves as a reminder of that timeframe.

Still, aside from when I served as a Marine Security Guard, my primary billet in the United States (U.S.) Marine Corps was military police (MP). Unhelpfully, the weapons preparation I received as an MP was substandard when compared to other firearms training I’d later undergo.

Still, there was one experience I had when training for MP firearms manipulation that was helpful. I thusly described the event in a blogpost entitled Faulty Memory:

When assigned to the military police (MP) while serving in the U.S. Marine Corps, I received training to simulate the experience of trauma and which demonstrated how such events could impact physiological and psychological functioning. This training was referred to as a “stress course.”

MPs were subjected to rigorous physical exercises while being yelled at by multiple people. We were then required to sprint to a firing line, whereupon we were handed shotguns.

Instructors told us to engage specific targets while trying not to shoot “friendly” targets. After the course, MPs were hurried over to a safety area whereby we were quickly interviewed.

I was surprised to learn how many details I missed when engaging the simulated deadly force drill. For instance, I didn’t even notice a target depicting a little girl with long yellow braids, though I fired buckshot towards her when engaging an intended target beside her.

As well, I recalled there being more than one active shooter target (represented by the presentation of an illustrated firearm) when there was actually only one present. That’s when I learned of faulty memories in relation to stressful scenarios.

While I don’t have photos from the stress course firearms training I received as an MP, the photo above depicts a shotgun similar to the one used for the event. Of all my weapons preparation I received as an MP, the stress course was most helpful to me.

Specifically, I learned about how I’d perform when jumbled (to move in a confused or disordered manner). In particular, I realized the impact of a self-upset disposition regarding judgment (the act or process of forming an opinion or evaluation by discerning and comparing).

I’m now reminded of that lesson on jumbled judgment in association with a book that I’ve been reading. I’ll provide a psychoeducational lesson on this topic – though it won’t be necessary to undergo rigorous physical exercises and manipulate a shotgun in order retain this information.

As Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) is informed by Stoic philosophy, this blog entry is part of an ongoing series regarding a book entitled The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living by Ryan Holiday and Stephen Hanselman.

For context, REBT uses the ABC model to illustrate that when an undesirable Action occurs and you Believe an unhelpful narrative about the event, it’s your unfavorable assumption, not the occurrence itself, that causes an unpleasant Consequence. This is known as self-disturbance.

In particular, there are four predominate irrational beliefs which people often use to upset themselves: global evaluations, low frustration tolerance, awfulizing, and demandingness. When contemplating these unproductive beliefs, think of the acronym GLAD.

For example, when experiencing the stress course as an MP (Action) I Believed, “I suck for having missed that shot [G] and I can’t stand my poor performance [L]! It’s terrible to be yelled at while I’m shooting [A], because I mustn’t be distracted [D]!”

One of the main functions of the stress course was to evoke the self-disturbing GLAD scripts I’ve illustrated in that example. Thus, when maintaining those unhelpful narratives, I upset myself into an unproductive reaction whereby I experienced jumbled judgement (Consequence).

Addressing how people upset themselves with unhelpful attitudes, the ABC model incorporates Disputation of unproductive philosophies of life in order to explore Effective new beliefs. Whereas rigid beliefs cause self-disturbance, flexible beliefs result in an un-disturbed condition.

Helpfully, Stoic principles which are incorporated into REBT allow people to un-disturb themselves. In this regard, authors of The Daily Stoic quote ancient Roman emperor and Stoic philosopher Marcus Aurelius who stated (page 168):

The first thing to do—don’t get worked up. For everything happens according to the nature of all things, and in a short time you’ll be nobody and nowhere, even as the great emperors Hadrian and Augustus are now.

The next thing to do—consider carefully the task at hand for what it is, while remembering that your purpose is to be a good human being. Get straight to doing what nature requires of you, and speak as you see most just and fitting—with kindness, modesty, and sincerity.

Had I known of and taken into account the wise words of Aurelius when training as an MP, then I likely wouldn’t have worked myself into the frenzied experience of jumbled judgement whereby I fired buckshot towards a target depicting a little girl with long yellow braids.

Unfavorably, many people use similar GLAD beliefs in their everyday lives when self-disturbing. Regarding this unpleasant experience, authors of The Daily Stoic state (page 168):

Imagine, for a second, what Marcus’s life as an emperor must have been like. He would preside over the Senate. He would lead the troops in battle, direct the grand strategy of the army as its highest commander.

He would also hear appeals—from citizens, from lawyers, from foreign governments. In other words, like most people in power, he was called on to make decisions: all day, every day, decision after decision.

The life of an emperor isn’t appealing to me in the slightest, as I don’t lust for power. Nonetheless, I understand that on a significantly smaller level, I frequently encounter events which require discerning (showing insight and understanding) decisions.

A “decision” is merely a determination arrived at after consideration. Regarding decision making, the American Psychological Association states that it is:

[T]he cognitive process of choosing between two or more alternatives, ranging from the relatively clear cut (e.g., ordering a meal at a restaurant) to the complex (e.g., selecting a mate).

Psychologists have adopted two converging strategies to understand decision making: (a) statistical analysis of multiple decisions involving complex tasks and (b) experimental manipulation of simple decisions, looking at the elements that recur within these decisions.

In common parlance, the process of making decisions is commonly associated with choice (the act of choosing). Some clear cut choices aren’t significantly impactful (e.g., what you ordered at a restaurant). Still, complex choices which frequently occur can be quite impactful.

The outcome of my choices has potential of impacting the lives of many people. I imagine the same is true for you. As a reported 82% of drivers in the U.S. admit to having road rage or driving aggressively at least once in the past year, let’s use self-disturbed driving as an example.

Someone cuts you off on a highway (Action) and you Believe, “This worthless piece of shit just placed my life in danger [G] and I can’t abide this [L]. It’s horrible that I was cut off [A], so I gotta teach a lesson [D]!” With this GLAD script, you then become enraged (Consequence).

Per one source, Florida is ranked the number one state with the worst drivers in the nation, and Texas follows close behind in second place with a reported 2.5 road rage incidents and 7.2 aggressive driving fatal accidents reported for every 100,000 residents from 2014 to 2023.

A separate source reports that the four most road rage-prone cities in Texas are Houston, Austin, Dallas, and Arlington. Another source adds that within the past decade, the top four states with the most road rage incidents, with guns involved, are Tennessee, California, Florida, and Texas.

Jumbled judgment isn’t as uncommon as one may’ve thought. Whereas I once trained to manipulate firearms when self-disturbed to a clinically significant degree, many motorists on roadways across the U.S. endure similarly disturbed conditions – some with firearms!

Because it’s impractical to expect that U.S. authorities can or will disarm the entire nation, the lesson I offer herein requires personal responsibility and accountability (collectively “ownership”) for one’s own experience when navigating potentially dangerous U.S. roadways.

In essence, personal ownership of outcomes as a motorist within the U.S. relates to driving in a Stoic manner. Addressing how Aurelius similarly used a helpful perspective regarding the decisions he faced, authors of The Daily Stoic offer (page 168):

His formula for decision making is a battle-tested method for doing and acting right—literally. Which is why we ought to try to use it ourselves. First, don’t get upset—because that will color your decision negatively and make it harder than it needs to be.

Second, remember the purpose and principles you value most. Running potential actions through this filter will eliminate the bad choices and highlight the right ones. Don’t get upset. Do the right thing. That’s it.

Making decisions with jumbled judgement can occur in an instant. Addressed herein, complex choices when on a roadway frequently occur. Statistically, many people make poor decisions when driving. Some of these choices lead to impactful road rage events.

Alternatively, when you don’t upset yourself and instead “do the right thing,” per authors of The Daily Stoic, then you can engage in a more helpful decision-making process. Noteworthy, this method of rational living isn’t executed with perfection.

Admittedly, I often experience healthy distress versus unhealthy disturbance when navigating the roadways of Austin, Texas. This is a far cry (something notably different) from how I once experienced driving scenarios in my home state. Alas, I’m grateful to practice Stoicism.

You, too, can use Stoic principles in your everyday life. After all, “stress course” scenarios often present themselves (e.g., driving on Interstate 35 in Austin). Still, these events aren’t as important as what beliefs you use and how you respond to them. Safe driving!

If you’re looking for a provider who tries to work to help understand how thinking impacts physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral elements of your life—helping you to sharpen your critical thinking skills, I invite you to reach out today by using the contact widget on my website.

As a psychotherapist, I’m pleased to try to help people with an assortment of issues ranging from anger (hostility, rage, and aggression) to relational issues, adjustment matters, trauma experience, justice involvement, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and depression, and other mood or personality-related matters.

At Hollings Therapy, LLC, serving all of Texas, I aim to treat clients with dignity and respect while offering a multi-lensed approach to the practice of psychotherapy and life coaching. My mission includes: Prioritizing the cognitive and emotive needs of clients, an overall reduction in client suffering, and supporting sustainable growth for the clients I serve. Rather than simply trying to help you to feel better, I want to try to help you get better!

Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW

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